An Ode to Liberty

Fair Liberty! celestial Maid! In all thy heav'n-born charms array'd, From heights aetherial descend! Our bleeding country's cause defend: Grim Tyranny, at thy command, Abash'd, shall flee our injur'd land; Commerce unfold her massy doors, And Wealth disclose her golden stores; Science her bright, instructive reign renew— And toiling Art her wonted tasks pursue:—

Oppression, on her iron throne, Indignant yields—thy pow'r must own;— The Monster, taught by thee to bow, Shrinks at the terrors of thy brow: Whilst Slav'ry, furrow'd o'er with pains Of servile loads, and galling chains, Far from our Continent removes, And shuns the land which Freedom loves. The hideous Spectre must submit to thee, And own thy pow'r—celestial Liberty!

Descend, fair Maid! assert our cause, Avenge our violated laws; In thee—in thee alone—we trust, And Heav'n proclaims our contest just: The sacred Sceptre of thy sway, Tyrannic Legions shall obey; Thy arm shall put the foe to flight— Thy arm shall vindicate our right;— Peace, lovely Seraph! shall again expand Her dove-like pinions o'er our grateful land;

Wars brazen Clarion alarm no more, And smiling Plenty crown our Western shore. Descend, celestial Goddess, Liberty! Defend America—preserve her free.